Dundalk spoil Shamrock Rovers’ title celebrations with 3-1 victory

Dundalk FC brought Shamrock Rovers’ title celebrations crashing down at Oriel Park with a stirring second-half comeback, scoring three times after the break to claim a 3-1 victory over the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division champions.

Around 700 travelling supporters had made the journey north in anticipation of seeing their side lift the trophy, and the evening appeared to be unfolding according to plan when Rovers went in at the break with a 1-0 advantage, courtesy of a Rob Cornwall own goal.

However, the Lilywhites turned the contest on its head after the interval, with Daryl Horgan drawing them level before Cian Dillon struck twice to secure an impressive victory and ensure Dundalk finished the campaign in a respectable sixth place.

Intent on spoiling the visitors’ celebrations, Dundalk fashioned the first opportunity after seven minutes when Horgan’s cross was met by Ronan Teahan, whose header lacked the placement to trouble Ed McGinty.

Rovers responded three minutes later as Adam Brennan skipped past several challenges before seeing his effort come back off the post. The ball ricocheted off Dundalk goalkeeper Peter Cherrie and behind for a corner, from which the visitors failed to threaten.

It was an entertaining, end-to-end opening half, with Dundalk continuing to carry a threat. Another Horgan delivery from the right found its way to Trevor Clarke at the back post, but the former Rovers player could only find the side-netting.

Tom Grivosti then found space outside the area and unleashed a dipping effort which narrowly cleared McGinty’s crossbar.

At the other end, Cherrie, making his final appearance after a 24-year career and having recently celebrated his 43rd birthday, produced an excellent save to deny John McGovern.

The forward looked poised to open the scoring after Graham Burke had played him through on goal.

It was Rovers who broke the deadlock on 23 minutes. Dylan Watts delivered a corner from the left and Cornwall, attempting to clear with his back to goal, inadvertently headed the ball into his own net.

Dundalk nearly responded immediately. Clarke did well to evade several challenges before rolling the ball into Teahan’s path, but his effort rippled the side-netting. Moments later, Matthew Healy fired high over the crossbar at the opposite end.

The hosts continued to search for a way back after the restart, with substitute Leo Gaxha firing off target after being picked out by Teahan. Shane Tracey followed with another wayward attempt as Dundalk began to turn up the pressure.

Their persistence was rewarded on 57 minutes when Gaxha got away from Will Fitzgerald before Keith Buckley supplied Horgan, who swept the ball home to restore parity.

The goal added further weight to Horgan’s claims for the PFAI Player of the Year award, with the winger once again making a decisive contribution.

Dundalk sensed an opportunity to complete the turnaround and almost did so within seconds, Horgan slipping the ball into Dillon’s path, only for the forward to shoot narrowly wide.

The comeback was completed on 65 minutes. Rovers failed to deal with a free-kick into their penalty area and, after Bobby Burns’ effort was deflected off Lee Grace, the ball fell invitingly for Dillon. His initial attempt was not enough to settle the contest, but he headed home at the second attempt to put the Lilywhites in front.

Gaxha, whose introduction had transformed Dundalk’s attacking play, came close to extending the lead when he found space and fired narrowly over.

The champions were now struggling to contain the hosts, and Dundalk struck again on 68 minutes to put the result beyond doubt. Gary O’Neill was caught in possession by Teahan, who unselfishly rolled the ball into Dillon’s path for a simple close-range finish and his second goal of the night.

With Rovers reeling, Dundalk threatened to add further gloss to the scoreline. Gaxha curled an effort narrowly wide before testing McGinty again, although the goalkeeper was relatively comfortable with his subsequent attempt.

Buckley then unleashed a powerful strike from outside the area which took a deflection and flew inches wide, while Teahan later raced down the right flank before being denied at his near post by McGinty.

With Dillon waiting in a promising position and a hat-trick within reach, Teahan might have been better advised to square the ball rather than go for goal himself.

It mattered little in the end. Dundalk had thoroughly outplayed the champions after the break, turning what had looked set to be a celebratory evening for the visitors into a memorable home victory.

Dundalk FC: Peter Cherrie (Enda Minogue 33); Bobby Burns, Rob Cornwall, Tom Grivosti, Tyreke Wilson (Luke Mulligan 77); Aodh Dervin (Keith Buckley 49), Shane Tracey (Harry Groome 77); Trevor Clarke (Leo Gaxha 49), Ronan Teahan, Daryl Horgan; Cian Dillon

Subs not used: Sammy Safaei (gk), Harvey Warren, Norman Garbett, Declan McDaid

Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty (Lee Steacy HT); Dan Cleary, Roberto Lopes (Luke O’Regan HT), Lee Grace; Tunmise Sobowale, Matthew Healy (Gary O’Neill 62), Dylan Watts, Will Fitzgerald; Graham Burke (Jonathan Afolabi HT), Adam Brennan; John McGovern (Michael Noonan 62)

Subs not used: Enda Stevens, Aaron Greene, John O’Sullivan, Cory O’Sullivan

Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Donegal)

Attendance: 3,173